Calif. sheriff's volunteers praised for dedicated service in times of budget cuts

By Paula King Contra Costa Times

Because San Joaquin County has no search-and-rescue team, the highly trained volunteers from Contra Costa County's squad were called out twice to help find Sandra Cantu, the missing 8-year-old from Tracy.

Contra Costa's team was the largest single group that assisted in the search for the girl, who was ultimately found dead in a dairy pond. More than 100 of the 336 total searchers helped over two weekends earlier this spring. They also coordinated the massive mutual effort involving volunteers.